Military Times Forums - Off Dutyhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/
For fun topics loosely related to Government and Military Service.enWed, 19 Dec 2018 10:31:08 GMTvBulletin60http://forums.militarytimes.com/images/metro/blue/misc/rss.pngMilitary Times Forums - Off Dutyhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/
http://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9946-Shove-your-priority-boarding’-—-Aussie-vets-call-airline’s-veteran-benefit-offer-‘to?goto=newpost
Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:35:19 GMT---Quote---
The Australian government announced this past weekend that Virgin Australia airlines would be offering priority boarding — and in-flight...

Quote:

The Australian government announced this past weekend that Virgin Australia airlines would be offering priority boarding — and in-flight acknowledgements of military service — to the nation’s veterans as part of a continued national effort to recognize those who served. But in a twist unfamiliar to their benefit-enjoying Yank brethren, Australians have collectively told the airline to, as renowned wordsmith Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would say, take the offer, shine it up real nice, turn that sum’bitch sideways and stick it straight up Virgin’s candy ass.

“It’s a very American thing to do," Mike Carlton, author and Australian military historian, told the New York Times. "We’re not quite as loud or noisy as that. Australians are a little more subtle.”

But Mike, you’re thinking to yourself, how in heaven’s name will any Australian vets be smothered with enough face-melting thank-you-for-your-service gratitude if they don’t blatantly advertise their past by wearing nothing but military-themed graphic shirts, growing operator beards or driving oversized — or overcompensating, depending on perspective — trucks?

“It’s just not in our nature to do stuff like that," Carlton told the Times. “Almost any veteran I can think of would be hideously embarrassed by being singled out like that. I’ve interviewed a lot of them for my books. ... They would hate the notoriety of being singled out.”

Funny how they say that it's 'too American'...perhaps they see through all the flag-waving better than we do.

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....But Australian vets are indicating that the trail being blazed is one leading to a factory of sadness, not joy....

1) When veterans or veteran dependents demand discounts, etc. It's fine to ask if they have some any...but don't throw a hissy fit if they don't, or the discount is only for the active duty, or only if the servicemember is there personally, etc...just appreciate it when it is offered, but don't expect it.

Like I've seen a woman trying to rally up a boycott of a restaurant because they didn't give her, the spouse, a discount while her husband was deployed. Their policy was they only discount the active duty servicemembers, not retired, separated or dependents. I would have her just say, 'Thank you for doing that' and pay the full price.

2) When the person's coincidental status as a veteran is used to stir outrage....i.e. Headline: Veteran denied a room at Super 8. or other such nonsense. Okay, so a guy got denied because he's 42 and doesn't have a credit card to put down...he was a veteran for a 3 year tour in 82-85...he wasn't denied because he was a veteran, and just cuz he was doesn't mean he gets to bypass all other policies...gimme a break.

3) When people say 'No veteran should ever be homeless.' Really? So, everyone that's every done a single enlistment should be given a place to live for life? Sorry. Now, if the guy is disabled from military service and is entitled to benefits, that's great. But, not every veteran who ever served is entitled to not be homeless if that's what their life has come to...not any moreso than any other person. Would be great if we didn't have any homeless, sure.
]]>Off DutyBos Mutushttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9946-Shove-your-priority-boarding’-—-Aussie-vets-call-airline’s-veteran-benefit-offer-‘tohttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9942-Military-quot-Honor-units-quot-at-sport-events?goto=newpost
Wed, 03 Oct 2018 05:23:15 GMTWith all the stuff in the news over the past year and change, about the kneeling in the NFL, and the like. How do those in the mil feel, when they...With all the stuff in the news over the past year and change, about the kneeling in the NFL, and the like. How do those in the mil feel, when they are asked (or voluntold) to go do an honor guard type extra duty at a sporting event, whether holding out the flag, or the like?
]]>Off Dutygarhkalhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9942-Military-quot-Honor-units-quot-at-sport-eventsNew Military retirement system on its way inhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9924-New-Military-retirement-system-on-its-way-in?goto=newpost
Tue, 02 Jan 2018 04:23:45 GMTto all you young people they seemed to have slipped this one past us, I wish there was something I could do
and if you think some ex general...to all you young people they seemed to have slipped this one past us, I wish there was something I could do

(maybe if they cut some of those black projects that don't do anyone any good things might be different)

regards
WCS
]]>Off DutyWCShttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9924-New-Military-retirement-system-on-its-way-inVA MAthhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9912-VA-MAth?goto=newpost
Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:18:54 GMTWell, since I feel I'm on a roll with questioning today's military decisions, I decided to spew my thoughts about the VA disability process and their questionable reparation math model.

I hope this will prepare some of our active duty service members for their military departure should they plan to apply for VA disability compensation.

This is the only organization I know where, i.e., 70%, 20%, and 10% do not add up to 100. Instead, their approach is taking the most severe disability--in this example the 70%--and then subtracting the remaining two disabilities from 30%... the remaining "ability" you still have (100%-70% disability = 30% ability remaining). The then take your next most severe disability and multiple and subtract that amount from your remaining ability determination. So, in this scenario, it would be 20% disability of 30% remaining ability (.20 times 30) and we get 6% which is the added to the 70% disability for a total of 76%. Now, we have 24% of our body able to function--or so the VA says. 10% of 24% (.10 times 24) is 2.4 so we are now 78.4% disabled but the VA will graciously and usually round this number up instead of down making you 78 or 79% disable.

Confusing? Yes and no. The reason: Of course, to save money! Using this math model, it is virtually impossible to receive a 100% rating therefore limiting VA payout.

While this may have an upside in terms of countering those that try to scam the system, it likewise suggests to the legitimate veteran that the more disabilities you have, the less debilitating they are.

In short, veterans (and soon-to-be veterans) be prepared for the VA. While it has drastically improved, there remains a lot of red tape that still needs to be removed.
]]>Off DutySeaLawyerhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9912-VA-MAthGet stationed in the UK, from 1980-96 and forever banned from giving blood?http://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9910-Get-stationed-in-the-UK-from-1980-96-and-forever-banned-from-giving-blood?goto=newpost
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 19:42:22 GMTAnyone else find it screwed up that members of the military (inc dependents) who lived in the UK from 1980-97 time frame, are forever banned as per...Anyone else find it screwed up that members of the military (inc dependents) who lived in the UK from 1980-97 time frame, are forever banned as per the FDA from giving blood/plasma?
]]>Off Dutygarhkalhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9910-Get-stationed-in-the-UK-from-1980-96-and-forever-banned-from-giving-bloodHow Complaining Changes Your Brainhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9905-How-Complaining-Changes-Your-Brain?goto=newpost
Sun, 04 Jun 2017 14:44:31 GMThttp://www.talentsmart.com/articles/How-Complaining-Rewires-Your-Brain-for-Negativity-2147446676-p-1.html
Research shows that most people complain...http://www.talentsmart.com/articles/...46676-p-1.html

Research shows that most people complain once a minute during a typical conversation. Complaining is tempting because it feels good, but like many other things that are enjoyable—such as smoking or eating a pound of bacon for breakfast—complaining isn’t good for you.

Your brain loves efficiency and doesn’t like to work any harder than it has to. When you repeat a behavior, such as complaining, your neurons branch out to each other to ease the flow of information. This makes it much easier to repeat that behavior in the future—so easy, in fact, that you might not even realize you’re doing it.

You can’t blame your brain. Who’d want to build a temporary bridge every time you need to cross a river? It makes a lot more sense to construct a permanent bridge. So, your neurons grow closer together, and the connections between them become more permanent. Scientists like to describe this process as, “Neurons that fire together, wire together.”

Repeated complaining rewires your brain to make future complaining more likely. Over time, you find it’s easier to be negative than to be positive, regardless of what’s happening around you. Complaining becomes your default behavior, which changes how people perceive you.

And here’s the kicker: complaining damages other areas of your brain as well. Research from Stanford University has shown that complaining shrinks the hippocampus—an area of the brain that’s critical to problem solving and intelligent thought. Damage to the hippocampus is scary, especially when you consider that it’s one of the primary brain areas destroyed by Alzheimer’s.

Complaining Is Also Bad for Your Health

While it’s not an exaggeration to say that complaining leads to brain damage, it doesn’t stop there. When you complain, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol shifts you into fight-or-flight mode, directing oxygen, blood, and energy away from everything but the systems that are essential to immediate survival. One effect of cortisol, for example, is to raise your blood pressure and blood sugar so that you’ll be prepared to either escape or defend yourself.

All the extra cortisol released by frequent complaining impairs your immune system and makes you more susceptible to high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It even makes the brain more vulnerable to strokes.

It’s Not Just You...

Since human beings are inherently social, our brains naturally and unconsciously mimic the moods of those around us, particularly people we spend a great deal of time with. This process is called neuronal mirroring, and it’s the basis for our ability to feel empathy. The flip side, however, is that it makes complaining a lot like smoking—you don’t have to do it yourself to suffer the ill effects. You need to be cautious about spending time with people who complain about everything. Complainers want people to join their pity party so that they can feel better about themselves. Think of it this way: If a person were smoking, would you sit there all afternoon inhaling the second-hand smoke? You’d distance yourself, and you should do the same with complainers.

The Solution to Complaining

There are two things you can do when you feel the need to complain. One is to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. That is, when you feel like complaining, shift your attention to something that you’re grateful for. Taking time to contemplate what you’re grateful for isn’t merely the right thing to do; it reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%. Research conducted at the University of California, Davis, found that people who worked daily to cultivate an attitude of gratitude experienced improved mood and energy and substantially less anxiety due to lower cortisol levels. Any time you experience negative or pessimistic thoughts, use this as a cue to shift gears and to think about something positive. In time, a positive attitude will become a way of life.

The second thing you can do—and only when you have something that is truly worth complaining about—is to engage in solution-oriented complaining. Think of it as complaining with a purpose. Solution-oriented complaining should do the following:

Have a clear purpose. Before complaining, know what outcome you’re looking for. If you can’t identify a purpose, there’s a good chance you just want to complain for its own sake, and that’s the kind of complaining you should nip in the bud.
Start with something positive. It may seem counterintuitive to start a complaint with a compliment, but starting with a positive helps keep the other person from getting defensive. For example, before launching into a complaint about poor customer service, you could say something like, “I’ve been a customer for a very long time and have always been thrilled with your service...”

Be specific. When you’re complaining it’s not a good time to dredge up every minor annoyance from the past 20 years. Just address the current situation and be as specific as possible. Instead of saying, “Your employee was rude to me,” describe specifically what the employee did that seemed rude.

End on a positive. If you end your complaint with, “I’m never shopping here again,” the person who’s listening has no motivation to act on your complaint. In that case, you’re just venting, or complaining with no purpose other than to complain. Instead, restate your purpose, as well as your hope that the desired result can be achieved, for example, “I’d like to work this out so that we can keep our business relationship intact.”
Bringing It All Together

Just like smoking, drinking too much, and lying on the couch watching TV all day, complaining is bad for you. Put my advice to use, and you'll reap the physical, mental, and performance benefits that come with a positive frame of mind.
]]>Off DutyMjölnirhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9905-How-Complaining-Changes-Your-BrainEveryday Carry (EDC)http://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9877-Everyday-Carry-(EDC)?goto=newpost
Thu, 16 Feb 2017 18:54:38 GMTI actually didn't know that this was really a "thing" until last night. Apparently, there are actually online EDC communities.

On my keychain, I personally carry a black Victorinox Explorer SAK, a small Field & Stream flashlight, a flashdrive, a whistle with a compass built in, and a black Doohickey. I also normally wear a black Timex Expedition watch.

I carry a black backpack around, but with none of the items that are mentioned in the EDC community (i.e., spare AA & AAA batteries, duct tape, super glue, a full size pistol, etc)

Is anyone here into EDC? What do you carry?
]]>Off DutyRusty Joneshttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9877-Everyday-Carry-(EDC)Helicopter based/focused shows/filmshttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9871-Helicopter-based-focused-shows-films?goto=newpost
Mon, 13 Feb 2017 06:20:32 GMTOK, so i just got done re-watching a great film, Blue Thunder. And it made me wonder.
Besides blue thunder, Firebirds with Tommy Lee Jones and Nick...OK, so i just got done re-watching a great film, Blue Thunder. And it made me wonder.
Besides blue thunder, Firebirds with Tommy Lee Jones and Nick Cage (about Apache helos) and Airwolf, what other tv shows or films have heavily focused on or around Helos?
]]>Off Dutygarhkalhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9871-Helicopter-based-focused-shows-filmsThe Personal Bullshit Threadhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9864-The-Personal-Bullshit-Thread?goto=newpost
Mon, 06 Feb 2017 13:56:21 GMT---Quote (Originally by sandsjames)---
Agree completely...whether a commander or a simple internet forum moderator, the ability to slam someone...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandsjames

Agree completely...whether a commander or a simple internet forum moderator, the ability to slam someone based on feeling personally slighted while allowing far worse to go on between others is a perfect example. :)

Things have gotten heated but only once was it personal, when you brought my daughter into a conversation about sexual assault and I told you stop and you initially failed to do so. Like it or not Steve, that is personal ... if you don't like it, go find somewhere else to bitch about mods at. If you feel other people are getting away with worse, file a report ... when mods first came around they interfered in conversations too much, I try not to do that ... but yeah ... bring my kid into a conversation and I will tell you to stop, if you don't ... I will put you in time out like the child you are acting like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandsjames

That's cuz Odin doesn't carry Mjolnir.

Not normally, he has taken it back a few times though.
]]>Off DutyMjölnirhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9864-The-Personal-Bullshit-Threadhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9833-Learned-a-lesson-today-don-t-cook-on-wax-paper?goto=newpost
Sun, 01 Jan 2017 18:54:05 GMTWell, i learned a smokey lesson today.
Don't try baking cookies on wax paper (which from when i lived in the UK, is what we were taught to USE).. Which makes me wonder. What has changed in wax paper, that you can't use them in ovens without them smoking??
]]>Off Dutygarhkalhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9833-Learned-a-lesson-today-don-t-cook-on-wax-paper